This area is rich in Tibetan culture and customs and non-Chinese traveling in the region are not held to the stringent travel
restrictions that those traveling to the TAR and Lhasa are (which on a motorcycle would have included not only hiring a guide, but also hiring two support drivers --one in front and one behind-- and an ambulance to
drive with us, if we even got a permit). These two factors make the Kham area a great option for travelers who want to be free to move on their own and interact more with local Tibetans. When we
went there were no travel restrictions, but there have been in the past --especially because Garzê is one of the main regions for Tibetan activism (such as recent self-immolations). However, at our time of travel (late June to early July 2015) internet in the entire
region --wifi and 3G-- was completely blocked. Ostensibly this was because the Dalai Lama's birthday falls on the 6th of July, but according to people in the region it is not unusual for it to be
blocked at other times.

Despite all this, we would very, very much recommend this area --and even this exact route-- to anyone interested in visiting
Tibetan regions in China. Although at the time we went there was still a fair amount of rain in some parts, the people and places in this region are absolutely unbelievable. We had a great time,
and it completely changed any expectations (if there were any) we once had of what this region of the PRC, and the world, is like.

A detailed map of our route (with a rough outline of Tibetan areas, in turquoise) can be found
below:

That image of the monkson the water is National Geographic caliber! Good on ya. Stories about the local area are great but bleed in stories of your human journey. You are going to places I dream of
and would love to hear that perspective.

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